Dr Adam De Paor-Evans

Adam is a spatio-cultural theorist, educator and researcher. As an interdisciplinary scholar, his practice research and research practice is positioned at the intersections of architecture, urban design, planning, music culture and spatio-cultural theory. He leads the independent research laboratory Rhythm Obscura, which explores the hidden histories, practices and theories of music, spatial and material culture in respect of rural and urban space, identity and senses of societal and community belonging. He has authored the books Hip Hop in The Sticks: A Deepening Context (2023), Scratching The Surface: Hip Hop, Remoteness and Everyday Life (2020) and Provincial Headz: British Hip Hop and Critical Regionalism (2020), and contributed many book chapters and journal articles within the fields of musicology and spatial practice. 

He previously held the post of Reader in Ethnomusicology, Spatial and Urban Practice and was Director of Creative Practice Research Academy (CPRA) at UCLan, where he also led Research and Innovation in the School of Art, Design and Fashion and was REF2021 lead for UoA32. He continues to be an external member of CPRA and The UCLan Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile (MIDEX). 

Adam has acted as external examiner for PhD theses at University of Bristol, University of Leeds and University of Salford - Manchester. He is editor of the bi-annual publication HEADZ-zINe: a zine with a critical edge, and has contributed many articles for The Conversation. He publishes weekly on the Rhythm Obscura Substack.

Adam originally trained as an architect (qualifying in 1999) before moving into a broader sector of the creative industries. His PhD thesis The evolution of the macro and micro cultural ecologies and economies of regional-rural hip hop in Devon, UK, 1983-1993 tested new reflective research methodologies and made visible the hidden spatio-material and ecology-economy practices of marginal communities in hip hop culture. 

PhD Arts and Media, UCLan 

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)

Certificate of Professional Practice in Architecture, South Bank University

MA Architecture (Design + Theory), Kingston University

Post-Graduate Diploma in Architecture, Kingston University

BA (Hons) Architecture, University of Greenwich 

The International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM)

HEA Fellow

Regional judge for Debating Matters Debating Matters – sixth-form debating competition 

External peer reviewer for Popular Music, Popular Music & Society, Journal of Asian Studies, IGI Global. 

Co-editor for Global Hip Hop Studies (Intellect Books) Intellect Books.

External member The UCLan Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora, and Exile (MIDEX) Research Centre for Migration, Diaspora and Exile (MIDEX) - UCLan.

Member of OIKONET: A Global Multidisciplinary Network on Housing Research & Learning OIKONET - A global multidisciplinay network on housing research and learning.

Member of European Hip Hop Studies Network The European Hip Hop Studies Network (wordpress.com). 

Delivery partner for AHRC 5^th Element Project Hip-Hop’s Fifth Element: Knowledge, Pedagogy, And Artist-Scholar Collaboration.

Adam's teaching interests lay at the heart of critical creative practice and research. He has led research methodologies modules at UCLan (2014-2017) where he also developed a multidisciplinary BA stream in critical contextual studies which included students from BA Textiles, Graphic Design, Product Design, and Interior Design (2016-2019), and led on rewriting research methodologies for MA Design and Fine Art (2019-2020). 

He has experience in developing new courses, having written and launched the MSc. Urban Design at UCLan (2015) and refurbishing the BA (Hons) Architecture programme at University of Plymouth (2008-2010).

Adam is passionate about the relationship between theory and practice, and through his teaching practice enjoys linking critical and contextual studies with work in the studio.  

PhD External Examiner, University of Salford - Manchester (2023)

PhD External Examiner, University of Bristol (2022)

PhD External Examiner, University of Leeds (2019)

FdA Interior and Spatial Design, Newcastle College (2018-2021)

Adam's research explores the interdisciplinary relationships between a range of creative practices and industries with the practices of the everyday, focusing on spatial, material and cultural intersections and assemblages. He also champions new research methodologies which challenge the conventional notion of participant-researcher and contributor-author. He is currently developing a new field of autoethnomusicology which draws upon object-oriented ontology, experience and memory. 

'On Experiential-Experimental Walking', Ioanna Pavlou (completed MRes 2013). 

PI: 40 Years of Hip Hop, Communities in Rural Space (in development). National Lottery Project Grant (ACE). Co-investigator: Dr David Kerr, University of Johannesburg/University of Oxford. Value approx. £27,000. Submission forthcoming, April 2024.  

PI: South-West to North-West: The hidden histories of British hip hop’s regional pioneers (awarded December 2020). British Academy Summer Showcase 2021 Exhibition, workshop, and performance. Awarding body: British Academy. Awarded: exhibition/presentation costs.  

PI: Community, Emergence, Representation, and Identity of Hip hop Culture in the South-West and North-West of England. Awarded September 2020. Small Research Grants Scheme. Value £7,144.71. 

PI: From Wall to Canvas: the Value of Graffiti in the Interspatial and Intermaterial Creative Play of Young People. Outcome pending. Frequencies Archive. Value: £4,864.00.

PI: Abstract Rap: An Alternative Canon Celebrating Hip Hop’s 50th Birthday. Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC) Research Grants Program. Value $975.00.

PI: Developing Social Change and Connectivity in Rural Areas Through Urban Music Cultures. Outcome pending. Nippon Foundation’s Overseas Grants. Value $28,382.00. 

 

Community Music Seminar - Zine Launch: HEADZ-zINe 'REGIONS-UK' BRISTOL HEADZ, SPECIAL EDITION, VOL. 1 ISSUE 3 November: Music Seminar 23/11/21 | Faculty of Arts | University of Bristol 

South-West to North-West: Why History? The hidden histories of British hip hop’s regional pioneers. British Academy Summer Showcase 2021 Exhibition, workshop, and performance; online live-stream and archive in-conversation with Mikey D.O.N (Krispy 3) chaired by Farhana Haider. Awarding body: British Academy. Value £4,120 (exhibition/presentation costs, January 2021, awarded). Archive: Why history? Britain’s regional hip-hop pioneers | The British Academy 

Provincial Headz Tour and Reading Room. March 2020 (first location of a ten-venue tour cancelled due to the pandemic). PR1 Gallery, Preston. Solo exhibition. 

European Trans-Rural Hip Hop Network Symposium. 2019. UCLan. Interdisciplinary group symposium. 

ROPE-A-DOPE 3 + 4: Criticality, Public Engagement and Praxis. 2018/9. Jointly hosted by UCLan and University of Bristol, funded by competitive faculty bid and AHRC. The Rope Walk, Bristol, UK. 

B-Line Mini-Tour Britcore Special. 2016. Köpi, Berlin; Cassiopeia, Berlin; O2 Arena, Bournemouth; RAD Festival, Bristol. Group exhibition and performances.   

‘Johnny The Fox’ (text, audio, visual triptych). In: Cabinet: Changing Perceptions. 2011. Peninsula Arts Gallery / University of Plymouth Press. Group show.  

Active hip hop practitioner (sonic and visual) under the name Project Cee/Ad-MC and RARE~GRILLS, currently signed to UK label B-Line Recordings and German label Britcore Rawmance. Discogs profile: Project Cee | Discography | Discogs  

Experience across the following hip hop culture elements: DJ/selector since 1992, emcee/rapper/vocalist/recording artist since 1988, graffiti writer since 1987, B-boy 1983-8. 

Performed throughout the UK since 1988 and internationally since 2001 at various events in Berlin, Zurich, Barcelona, Brussels, Dublin, Santiago (Chile), New York, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Farmfest (Devon), LiveStock Festival (Devon), Beautiful Days Festival (Devon), OxJam (Oxford). 

Has led on emcee/rap workshops alongside Ty and Dark Circle for SIN Cru throughout the south of the UK and delivered graffiti workshops with KILO at various institutions. Developed and delivered hip hop theory workshops with Harry Allen Media Assassin / Rob Swift at MIT. 

Active DJ/selector since 1992, emcee/rapper/vocalist/recording artist since 1988, graffiti writer since 1987, B-boy 1983-1988. 

Supported and toured with Public Enemy, Jurassic 5, Soul II Soul, J-Live, People Under The Stairs, The High and Mighty, Aspects, Jehst, Rodney P, Demon Boyz, Blade, Son Of Noise, Caveman, Brownfoot Intellect, Skinnyman, Task Force, Kelz, De La Soul. 

Developed and led on recording/mixing/post-production (The Projections, Def Defiance), distribution (Sudden Debt Recordings/Core Level), record sleeve/CD case design. graphics and illustration (Ruztik, B-Line Recordings). 

Served as BA/MA external examiner at University of Westminster and NCG Newcastle, and invited studio reviewer and critic at The Bartlett UCL, University of Sheffield, University of Brighton, London Metropolitan University, University of Greenwich, Plymouth University, Oxford Brookes University, Kingston University, KU Leuven, and University of Ulster. Invited speaker at UCLan, Oxford Brookes University, Plymouth University. AAE Steering Group, CHEAD delegate, SCHOSA delegate.